told on
Betrayed by squealing
To tell on someone is to report their misbehavior to an authority—a parent, teacher, or boss.
The phrase carries childish connotations, suggesting tattling rather than legitimate whistleblowing: I'm going to tell on you!
She told on her brother for breaking the vase.
Adults use it somewhat ironically or to diminish the seriousness of reporting.
- relatedConnected by blood or nature
- snitchedInformed on someone
- narratedTold a story aloud
- recountedNarrated past events
- fingeredIdentified to authorities
pointed the finger · betrayed · incriminated · informed · dropped a dime · blew the whistle · confessed · tattled · divulged · implicated · revealed · admitted · squealed · spilled the beans · accused · named names · disclosed · reported